Putting 10 to paper: An ode to Pete Waack’s decade of dedication as general manager

Tiffany Lankes (’03), a former editor in chief and current member of the paper’s board of directors, wrote the following to commemorate Pete’s 10th D.O. anniversary at a gathering of staffers and alumni in October. As general manager, Pete oversees the paper’s finances.

After nearly a decade, there are — sadly — so many memories from my days at The Daily Orange that have long since faded. But there is one period I will likely never forget. That was the fall of 2001. I was starting my second semester as The Daily Orange’s editor. By most accounts, at the start of the school year, everything seemed to be in shambles. The first half of my term was tough, as I navigated the inevitable learning curve of management, trying to appease an eclectic and passionate group of young journalists, while at the same time trying to run a viable business.

That became especially tough because of the lack of support we received from the business office. He didn’t last long, largely because ‘The Seal,’ as we came to know him, spent more time worrying about his dog biscuit company than putting out a paper. He balked when I suggested he look for new advertisers or revenue sources. He wanted to ration notebook paper. He never understood why our sports department needed to travel to cover games and not just watch them on television.

When he screamed at me across a table shortly before production was set to start, I made what was likely one of the most important decisions of my D.O. management career. I fired him. I had a good team of top editors behind me, and there we were, a bunch of 20-something kids with no real clue how to run a business. Not to mention navigate the legal issues that inevitably follow a termination. Then the towers fell. Our already fragile staff was shaken, and somehow everything seemed more vulnerable. We floated a few ads and waited for prospects.

I don’t remember a whole lot about many of the candidates we interviewed, perhaps for good reason. Every once in a while, Tito and Ash, also on staff then, reference someone who worked for the WWE. I seem to have blocked out that person.

I do remember we weren’t having that much luck when that one special résumé came in. I remember us thinking certainly this guy is too good to be true. Experience in publishing and business with a legal background? We hedged bets on what might be wrong with him. We just weren’t boding that well in the luck department. When Pete showed up and proved everything he appeared on paper and more, we were sold. No joke … when he walked out of 744 Ostrom that day, I think we all felt like we had met Jesus.

Needless to say, we hired Pete and have all since moved on. Ten years later, I find myself working with him again as a member of the board of directors.

My memories of late are a little fresher, and probably laden with more perspective. I recall sitting through my first meeting of the board, listening to Pete pitch ideas for cost-savings and ways to build The D.O.’s reach on campus. I was truly amazed, not only in the depth of ideas he was bringing to the table, but the fact that 10 years later he was still there, and more committed than ever to our student newspaper.

In an organization where leadership changes every year and entire staffs don’t last much longer, Pete brings stability that is priceless. I think I can say with great confidence on behalf of staffs past and present that Pete’s institutional knowledge and passion for our mission are invaluable. As we celebrate and honor Pete’s 10 years with us, I don’t think we can raise our glasses high enough to toast his commitment and accomplishment. Cheers, Pete!